More Choking Hazards, please

I keep a tin in the pantry that stores the Judd candy supply - usually it's the candy the boys get from holidays. For the 1st time in I dont' know how long, our supply is dwindling. I usually sort out the gum or the choking hazards, but sometimes I think, we'll I could cut that candy in two so it's not a choking hazard. Well on several recent trips to the candy tin, Anderson has picked out candy that are considered choking hazards, in my book. I indicated to him, OK you can have that - but I have to cut it first- I explained what a choking hazard is and why he can't have those candies or his little brother.

This morning Anderson to mommy:
"Mommy, can I please have a choking hazard this morning?"

I nearly fell out in giggles! It's like an exclusive treat to him now!

Build a Friend....

Anderson had his very 1st field trip a few weeks ago - his class went to 'Build-A-Bear' at the mall and they were able to pick out a new friend. I'm not really sure what was educational about this trip, but whatever - Anderson enjoyed it! He picked out a bunny and named him Alex. I later realized that he picked the bunny because Carter sleeps with a bunny everynite. Alex is getting 'stuffed'...

Alex is getting his first bath and rub down

Meet Alex!

Who needs training wheels?

For some reason Mark thought that Anderson was ready to lose the training wheels on his bike. I thought this was a bit pre-mature given he's only had his bike for a couple of months and he doesn't get to ride it much, but Mark thought he was ready.... Sure enough, Anderson proved me wrong - he did GREAT without training wheels. Sure, I'm quite nervous watching - but he hasn't fallen yet (though Mark has saved him a couple times). Check out the video!!! Go Anderson!

Anderson is 4!!!!

For Anderson's 4th birthday party, we joined forces with the Schrodts to celebrate birthdays with some of his best buds - Jacob & Josiah. We celebrated at Hunt Club Farm and it was an amazing day - we are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends & family to celebrate these occasions with!

all of Anderson's cousins came to the party here are 4 of the 5 -MaryScott (2), Catherine (6), Benjamin (9), Anna (4months)

Jacob, also turning the big 4!yummy, this is good!!!!!!!!!!

so much to do, so little time for blogging!

One of my favorite past-times, blogging, has been shelved the last couple of weeks. We've just been crazy busy. I still have more pics to post from our FLA vacation, from the marriage retreat, from Anderson's 1st soccer game and more!! I'm about to take a gazillion more pics this weekend for Anderson's bday party and we have family here (always a reason to take pics), and my sweet niece Avery's 1st bday is this weekend too!!!! ARGH, I'm falling more & more behind! Oh well.

Here's something I've wanted to post for awhile for memory sake, so this will just have to do for now!!!! And, to boot, I'm so far behind reading friends blogs too - I don't feel like I know what is going on with anyone right now!!!! I will catch up soon (i hope!!!)

Anyway, a couple weeks ago we had Carter's 15month check-up and Anderson wanted to go with me so he could hold Carter's hand (great big brother!). I also found out that the flu shots were in and that both boys could get them too at our visit -so grateful since this would save a later trip & gas, etc. Anyway, this meant that Anderson would now be getting a shot too. This boy loves to get shots - from the moment I told him, he said "it won't hurt me" - "I won't cry". I'm thinking to myself, we'll see about that. In the past he has done great, but as he's getting older & more fearful of 'stuff', I thought for sure he'd wimper a little... Carter's shots come & go and Anderson is the great big bro holding his hand and comforting him. Here comes Anderson's turn - he just watches the nurse give him the shot - he didn't look away, no flinching, no tears -nothing!!! He must have gotten that from Mark, b/c I'm a big wuss when it comes to needles & shots (I mean huge wuss!). Anyway, here is the best part:

Mommy: "maybe you can be a doctor or nurse one day, Anderson - you did so great with the shot!"

Anderson: "nah, I just want to be regular, like daddy, I want to be a dad!"

Doesn't that just melt your heart!!!!! What an impression Mark has made on my boys!!

100% Boy!!

This morning we had to go back to the ENT for Carter to have his tubes 'follow-up' - - we basically woke up, had breakfast & hopped in the car for the 8:30 appt. We got to the office and had to wait for a few minutes in the waiting room - - Anderson found the children's books and for a few minutes read a VeggieTale book he had found - that only held his attention for a few minutes until he spotted the magazine stack. Do you know that Anderson ran and grabbed the latest Sports Illustrated, sat down & starting rattling off information - "mommy look" - it's Michael Phelps, look its Tiger Woods, look tennis, look football, baseball - you name it!!! Mark is definitely a sports fan, but its amazing how Anderson knows this stuff. Sure he's watched his share of college football, Braves games, the Masters, Olympics - but he's not a couch potato, so it's just amazing how boys (or men) just know sports!!!

A-N-D-E-R-S-O-N.....

Well, it's official - - Anderson can now spell his name!! Actually about 75% of the time he can spell his name - it's so long you know, that sometimes he forgets a letter!!! People always teased me when we announced that our firstborn would be Anderson - that the poor little guy would never learn to spell his name!!! He's all into the alphabet now - he loves pointing to letters everywhere and telling me what they are. I love my little speller!

Happy Daddy's Day!

Paul on the left, Mark on the right for those who confuse the twins....

Mark & cutie Carter

I just had to post this picture with Anderson and his strategically placed finger....

We had a great, relaxing Father's Day... After church this morning, we came home & the boys had some yummy popcorn shrimp for the very 1st time - I think I have found a great substitute to chicken nuggets! I had to run a couple of errands and then after naps we headed to Paul & Rebekah's house for a Father's Day steak dinner.... I assembled some veggie kabobs and Rebekah made some FABULOUS mushroom risotto and an amazing chocolate eclair cake... YUMMO!!!



We had a great day with Anderson - and I'm so glad he was good for us today - on Father's Day. He's been challenging for us recently on just about every level, so it was nice to see that we could have a day without 'training' all day long. Not only did he behave for us, but he was extremely affectionate - a very rare treat for us. Anderson must have told me 100 times today "I love you Mommy" and showered me with a zillion kisses. I'm so grateful that the Lord softened his heart, especially today for Mark....

I'm ready Mommy!!

All Anderson had to do before he could go swimming was take-off his Crocs... he was layered with sunscreen, suited up with goggles & all!

Later we found out there was one thing he forgot to do before swimming.... to take off his underwear - he was wearing under his suit! Oh well!!

We had some fun family time at the pool on Saturday, breathing in the clean fresh air... excuse me, the smoky air....

All before 6:30A.M..... on a Saturday!!

the sunrise at the Judds


in pajamas on the deck before 6:30am....
can you see the smoky haze - we could smell the NC forest fires all the way in VA Beach - yuck!

Yes, our days start EARLY at the Judd home! Most days Anderson is awake around 5:45ish - -sometimes we get lucky if he sleeps "IN" til 6:15 or so..... Usually Carter wakes up 6:30 or so and we let him play in his crib til about 6:45 most days... On the weekends when Anderson is up early Mark & I just hang in bed til about 7 - while Anderson bounces between his room and our room - and we'll go get Carter around 6:45....

On Saturday, Carter decided to "pull an Anderson" and was up BEFORE 6!!!! He is currently cutting 5 teeth or so (4 of them are molars - OUCH) and so he has had a tough couple of days.... and thus the early rise.... So up we were and actually out on the back deck, all before 6:30- not to mention a full pancake breakfast tabled up too!!!

At this point Mark & I are so used to waking up at the break of dawn - we've acclimated to the reduction in sleep!!



Anyone want to invite Anderson over for a sleep-over? ; )

You know it's hot when....

You seen a little boy running thru the sprinklers before 7:30 in the morning (in his underwear, nonetheless)!!! Mark went to turn the sprinklers on Thursday morning and Anderson asked me if he could run thru & play - it was so hot I didn't see a whole lotta reason to say 'no' (except that I hadn't even had my coffee yet!).... I think the onlooking golfers were getting a kick out of the show!

Just a year ago today....

I can't believe it's already been a year since we met my little Carter - he is such a sweet and smily little boy, I am loving his little emerging personality. He is so different from his big brother, it's amazing.

Just like his big brother, there were no signs that Carter wanted to leave the comfy confines of his 9month home, so last June 3rd I was induced and we met little Carter at 3:59p.m.


WHOA!!!!! Momma!!!!


Here he is!!! Precious, 8lbs 8oz 21 1/2in long


Anderson meets Carter - love at first sight!


Taking my little Carter home - he's already smiling!


Brotherly love

Back to BG!

Busch Gardens that is! We had such a great time last week at BG that we decided to join the Maggiores again for more fun on Sunday. The weather was HOT - I can't imagine going if it were much hotter, but the hot weather encouraged Anderson to ride the Log Flume - a pretty big ride for such a little man!! He had a blast and begged Mark to go on it a 2nd time!

Beach Time!!

One of our favorite recent 'traditions' is mornings at the beach with friends. Over the last few years, we often frequent the beach on Saturday mornings with the Maggiores and Saunders families - the kids have a blast together and it's one of my favorite things about the summer. We went to the beach Memorial Day and kicked off the summer!

Busch Gardens - for the very 1st time!

We've lived here nearly 5 years and I had never been to Busch Gardens until last weekend! Mark had been once before, but we took Anderson & Carter to their very 1st theme park. We joined the Maggiores who are 'regulars' at BG and showed us the ropes. After the Daddies rode the rollercoaster 'Griffon', Jen & I gave it a try -you should have seen us Mommies on that rollercoaster! We got in the single riders line and we got to ride in the FRONT ROW! It was awesome!!!

Anderson & Erin had a blast zipping from ride to ride. I couldn't believe how big they were waiting in lines together - -sometimes without any parents!!

Carter & Anna were super troopers, catching cat naps when possible. Anderson tried to steal a quick nap in the stroller at the very end of the day - he was tuckered out!

Is Daddy Home Yet?

I have on my hands 2 Daddy's boys! These boys LOVE LOVE LOVE their Daddy -and for good reason - he is an awesome playmate!! When 5:00 nears, Anderson is headed for the front door every couple of minutes to see if Mark is home yet - of course, Carter trots (or crawls rather) right behind!

Sing, sing a song....

Our home has been a little more musical lately - Anderson is forever singing some song. A couple mornings ago I was downstairs getting ready for work and at the bright & early time of 5:45am, I could Anderson singing 'Oh No, you never let go' by Matt Redman. So cute -even in the early early morning! We heard it together on the radio this morning & he told me 'it's my favorite' (at least for today I'm sure) Otherwise, he is humming the Star Wars theme for Darth Vader -dum dum dum da da dum da da dum. I love that this little guy loves to sing -whether 'worship' music or Star Wars music - it's all good to me!

May Fun!

Last weekend we headed to the Botanical Gardens with the Saunders. It was great weather and the kids had a great time in the fountains

Carter in one of my favorite outfits...

Sunday we went to the beach - I wish you could see Carter's face -it was covered with sand!! Carter kept trying to eat the sand. I think it's a lesson you learn the hard way.

Performance Review

This morning during Carter's nap, Anderson & I were outside playing catch.... for a few minutes anyway... A snippit of our conversation:

Anderson: "Mommy, you aren't very good at this game" sternly
Mommy: smiling, giggling
Anderson: "it really isn't very funny"
Mommy: "sorry, buddy"
Anderson: "I think we should find something else to do"

Well, how about that!!!!!! Apparently my performance playing 'catch' needs improvement!!!!

Matching!!!!!!!

I'm so excited that Carter is getting old enough where I can start dressing the boys alike (sometimes). Today was the boys first day dressing alike. Anderson LOVED dressing like his baby brother. Now I just have to buy Mark the same shirt! Sunday morning just may get a bit easier now.... (we'll see about that!)

this was my favorite, but its FUZZY - ARGH!!!